San Francisco’s Cable Cars and Streetcars

By Mark Christianson

In my continuing series of photograph galleries from my recent trip to San Francisco, I now bring to you two galleries with a transportation theme. First is the famous cable cars of San Francisco. The first cable cars started operation in 1873 as a way to more safely navigate the hilly streets of San Francisco. At their height, there were more than 20 lines in the city. The first electric street cars were installed in the 1890s, but it was the 1906 earthquake that led to many of the cable car lines being replaced with electric streetcars. Cable cars continued to operate as outdated relics but survived attempts by politicians to shut them down. Finally efforts to save the cable cars won out, and they remain a permanent fixture in San Francisco. They may not be the most efficient system of transportation, but they have a definite charm and appeal. I found them a joy to ride (even if the lines can sometimes be long at the end of a line).

San Francisco also still operates a single street car line: the historic F-line along Market Street and The Embarcadero from Castro Street to Fisherman’s Wharf. This line uses cars original to San Francisco, around the United States, from Milan, Italy, and elsewhere in the world. Built up by enthusiasts when the street car line was to be permanently shut down, it now adds another layer to San Francisco’s living (and mobile) transportation history.

Please enjoy my new galleries at the links below.